News Broadcasting
B.A.G Films to launch two news channels
MUMBAI: B.A.G Films & Media Ltd plans to invest Rs 2.70 billion for the four channels it proposes to launch as part of its strategy to diversify into broadcasting business from just being a pure content company.
B.A.G Films will launch two news channels, says managing director Anurradha Prasad. For the Hindi news channel, it has roped in Aaj Tak director news Supriya Prasad.
“We plan to invest Rs 2.70 billion for the four channels. We expect to launch the Hindi news channel by November. Supriya Prasad is joining us as director – Hindi news,” says Anurradha Prasad.
The lifestyle channel could be launched during the same time while “Bliss” will be all about mind, body and soul which will roll out later.
The two segments are being housed under two associate companies, B.A.G Newsline Network (P) Ltd and B.A.G Glamour (P) Ltd. While the news channels will be under B.A.G Newsline Network, the non news venture will be in B.A.G Glamour.
B.A.G Films has already applied for uplinking facility with the information and broadcasting ministry to launch channels in news and non news category.
The company will have its own distribution team. “We are in the process of hiring the distribution head,” says Anurradha Prasad.
News Broadcasting
Network18 Q4 revenue grows 9.7 per cent, EBITDA at Rs 30 crore
PAT improves to Rs 306.6 crore, margins steady amid cost pressures.
MUMBAI: Not all news is breaking, some of it is quietly improving. Network18 Media & Investments Limited appears to be doing just that, tightening losses and stabilising margins even as costs continue to weigh on the business. For FY26, the company reported revenue from operations of Rs 1,955.1 crore, up from Rs 1,896.2 crore in FY25, signalling modest top-line growth in a challenging media environment. Total income stood at Rs 1,978.2 crore, compared to Rs 1,913 crore a year earlier.
Profit after tax came in at Rs 306.6 crore for the year, a sharp turnaround from Rs 3,225.4 crore in FY25, largely reflecting the absence of large exceptional items that had inflated the previous year’s numbers. On a more comparable basis, the company’s operating performance showed signs of gradual stabilisation.
However, the quarterly picture remained under pressure. For the March quarter, Network18 reported a loss of Rs 53.1 crore, narrower than the Rs 98.1 crore loss in the same period last year, but still indicative of ongoing cost challenges.
Expenses continued to track high. Total expenses for FY26 stood at Rs 2,235.7 crore, up from Rs 2,197.8 crore in FY25. Key cost heads included operational expenses of Rs 765.9 crore, employee benefits of Rs 475.9 crore, and marketing, distribution and promotional spends of Rs 427.1 crore, underlining the continued investment required to sustain reach and engagement.
At an operating level, margins remained under strain. Operating margin stood at 2.33 per cent for FY26, marginally higher than 1.77 per cent in FY25, while net profit margin remained negative at -13.02 per cent, though improved from -14.89 per cent.
On the balance sheet, total assets rose to Rs 8,957.6 crore as of 31 March 2026, from Rs 8,317.5 crore a year earlier. Equity strengthened to Rs 4,958.7 crore, while borrowings increased to Rs 3,112.8 crore, reflecting a higher reliance on debt to support operations.
Cash flows told a mixed story. While financing activities generated Rs 83.9 crore, operating cash flow remained negative at Rs -24 crore, highlighting ongoing pressure on core cash generation. Cash and cash equivalents, however, improved to Rs 33.9 crore from Rs 1.8 crore.
The numbers point to a company in transition growing revenues, trimming losses, but still grappling with structural cost pressures. In a sector where scale often comes at a price, Network18 seems to be inching towards balance, one quarter at a time.
